Nashville Conflict Resolution Center

HISTORY

NCRC was founded in August of 2000by the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee of the Nashville Bar Association (NBA).

In 2000-2001, NCRC operated as an outreach project of the NBA.

In 2001, NCRC became incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization, and the Board of Directors hired its first Executive Director.

2001 saw the development of NCRC’s first mediation program: the General Sessions Court Civil Mediation Program. The program was unanimously approved and supported by court judges, and continues to serve hundreds of people each year.

From 2001-2004, NCRC launched several community-based mediation programs aimed at preventing and reducing conflict and violence in Nashville (Davidson County).

In 2005, NCRC lost funding. To continue its operations, it shifted to a purely volunteer-managed organization.

In 2006, in collaboration with the District Attorney’s office, the NCRC board initiated a Victim Offender Mediation program, first as a pilot program, and later in contract with the Metro Government. This program continues to offer a collaborative and respectful process of conflict resolution, restitution, and often reconciliation to Davidson County residents.

In 2008, NCRC received grant money to hire a new Executive Director. Over the next several years, staff were added to develop new programs, manage the growing community of volunteer mediators, and offer training and workshops throughout the city.

From 2009-2011, NCRC launched several initiatives, including the Planting Seeds Peer Mediation Program located in several area schools and offering mediation training to high-school students; the Juvenile Court Family Program, providing free mediation services for custody and visitation cases in Juvenile Court; and the Juvenile Victim Offender Program.

As of 2014, NCRC has four full-time staff and two part-time staff. Over 60 highly trained volunteers provide mediation services in over 700 cases per year. NCRC extends its mediation services to residents throughout Middle Tennessee, from the Kentucky to the Alabama borders.

NCRC maintains its committed and impressive cohort of volunteers by offering mediation training twice a year, and by providing a regular and lively program of continuing education lunches, potluck suppers, and presentations throughout the city.

VOLUNTEER

Calling all mediators! Whether you are experienced or new to the field, we welcome you as a volunteer through our Orientation Program. Would you like to take a mediation training class? Read here about our Mediation Training options and schedules. Are you interested in sharing your creative, professional, or fund-raising skills with a non-profit that is making a difference in your community? Read more about Volunteer Opportunities!

COURT PROGRAMS

General Sessions Civil Court MediationNCRC mediators are available to help disputants who have cases in civil court and have no attorney involvement. NCRC volunteer mediators help parties resolve their disputes on the day of court instead of going before the judge, in an environment more conducive to cooperation and resolution. If participants are not able to reach resolution, they return to the courtroom for a hearing before the judge. Types of disputes appropriate for civil mediation include landlord/tenant disputes, consumer/merchant cases, neighborhood issues, homeowner/contractor disputes, etc.

Juvenile Court Family MediationNCRC mediators work with parties who are involved in custody and visitation disputes to create realistic and sustainable parenting or visitation plans. Mediation allows the adults involved in a child’s life to express their concerns and wishes in a collaborative and supportive environment, which often results in agreements that are satisfying to all parties. The Magistrate settles issues that remain unresolved. Mediation may be referred by the Juvenile Court Magistrates or may be requested by parties involved in a case.

Victim Offender Mediation for AdultsNCRC provides victim offender mediation services to Nashville-area residents, encouraging a collaborative resolution of conflicts that have reached the level of misdemeanor and which threaten to escalate. The Adult VO Program involves participants who are referred pre-warrant by the DA’s Criminal Warrant Intake and Screening Office. The types of charges that are mediated include : Assault, Harassment, Theft, Vandalism, Threats, and Intimidation.

Victim Offender Mediation for Juveniles The Juvenile VO Program involves participants who are referred by the Juvenile Court. NCRC mediators help juvenile parties to effectively communicate with each other, identify their share of responsibility for conflict, and create a plan for future action that may involve some kind of restitution. A successful mediation usually means that juvenile participants will not have formal charges entered into the record. Types of charges that are mediated include : Disorderly Conduct, Fighting, Assault, Domestic Assault, Vandalism, and Theft.

Note: Mediation services are available in Spanish.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Community Mediation for Family, Neighborhood, and Workplace ConflictsNCRC provides a wide range of mediation services that give participants a chance to work out mutually agreeable solutions before a conflict escalates to lasting harm or litigation. Disputes, whether they are contained within a family, flare up among co-workers, or expand throughout an organization, all can benefit from the calm and collaborative approach of mediation. NCRC is available to help bring parties together to mediate at our office or at other convenient and neutral locations. NCRC also has a partnership with MDHA to provide free mediation for residential disputes in all twenty of the Metro housing properties.

Divorce MediationDivorce is financially and emotionally overwhelming. NCRC offers low cost, sliding-scale mediation in a calm, supportive environment, helping parties reach decisions in a dignified and respectful manner. Through mediation, parties can work out their Marital Dissolution Agreement and/or Parenting Plan, reducing the time and costs of court involvement.

Bilingual Community Mediation Addressing the specific needs of Spanish-speaking residents and new immigrants from Latin America, NCRC offers mediations in Spanish and English for a range of conflicts including workplace and contract disputes, car accidents, divorce and visitation issues, and other court- and community-based conflicts.

About Us

Charter for Compassion provides an umbrella for people to engage in collaborative partnerships worldwide. Our mission is to bring to life the principles articulated in the Charter for Compassion through concrete, practical action in a myriad of sectors.